Support device for a car coat hanger

ABSTRACT

In a support device for a coat hanger for use in a motor vehicle, the support device includes a mounting structure by which it can be mounted to a support column of a head rest of a vehicle seat, comprising a support sleeve extending from the mounting structure and an end sleeve member which is mounted to the end of a coat hanger rod or wire and which fits into the support sleeve can be locked therein by a locking element disposed adjacent the end sleeve for engagement with the support sleeve when the end sleeve is disposed in the support sleeve.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention resides in a support device for a coat hanger for use in a motor vehicle, in particular for attachment to the head rest columns of a motor vehicle seat.

DE 200 18 697 U1 discloses a car coat hanger for attachment to the head rest columns of a motor vehicle which consists of a wire bent so as to form a coat hanger which has legs which extend first downwardly and are then bent horizontally and provided with plastic sleeves. The legs can be inserted into sockets which are mounted to the head rest columns of the vehicle seats. The sockets are formed by a mounting body consisting of two semi-shells between, which a head rest column is engaged with a foam structure disposed therebetween and which can be clamped together by a number of screws. When the mounting sleeves are mounted to the two head rest columns, the coat hanger can be supported by insertion of the leg ends thereof into the support sleeves mounted on the head rest columns and can be removed again by pulling the leg ends out of the support sleeves.

In the known mounting arrangements, the semi-shells of the mounting sockets are interconnected by four screws which extend in a direction normal to the separation plane between the two half shells. The mounting of the socket to the head rest columns is therefore somewhat cumbersome. In addition, the seat of the sleeved leg ends of the coat hangers may be loosened when the vehicle passes over bumpy streets or potholes which cause vibrations so that the coat hanger finally drops out of the support sleeves.

It is the object of the present invention, to provide an improved support structure for a coat hanger on the head rest support columns of a motor vehicle, wherein, on one hand, the mounting of the support structure is facilitated and, on the other hand, the support of the coat hanger on the support device is improved.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a support device for a coat hanger for use in a motor vehicle, the support device includes a mounting structure by which it can be mounted to a support column of a head rest of a vehicle seat, comprising a support sleeve extending from the mounting structure and an end sleeve member which is mounted to the end of a coat hanger rod or wire and which fits into the support sleeve can be locked therein by a locking element disposed adjacent the end sleeve for engagement with the support sleeve when the end sleeve is disposed in the support sleeve.

The arrangement according to the invention has the advantage that it can be easily mounted and the hanger can be firmly attached to the mounting structure. While in the known arrangements, the semi-shells of the support device which are divided in a plane that extends parallel to the axis of the support device, are interconnected by four screws which have to be screwed into the support device from a side thereof, the mounting device according to the invention is divided along a plane extending normal to the axis of the mounting sleeve. In this way, the mounting screws can be inserted and tightened from the front side of the back rest and furthermore, there is no longer a need for the installation of a foam rubber member. With the form-fitting locking of the sleeved ends of the legs of the coat hanger into the support device furthermore a vibration-free support is ensured and the legs can be firmly held in their mounted position.

The invention will become more readily apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment on the basis of the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded view showing the arrangement according to the invention,

FIG. 2 is an exploded side view of the arrangement of FIG. 1, and

FIG. 3 is a front view of the support device as seen in the direction of as seen by the arrow III.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

As apparent from the figures, the support device according to the invention comprises a support sleeve 1 with a two-part mounting structure 2 connected thereto for the mounting thereof to a head rest column of a vehicle seat. An end sleeve 3 is attached to the end of a leg 31 of the coat hanger (not shown) which includes a locking ring 4. The locking ring 4 is rotatably supported by the end leg of the coat hanger and has a collar 42 for engagement with a shoulder 32 the end sleeve 3 and a locking structure for its connection to the support sleeve 1.

The mounting structure 2 of the support sleeve 1 is divided in a plane oriented transversely to the sleeve axis into a support body part 21 which is integrally formed with the support sleeve 1 and a separate mounting body part 22, which is connected to the support body part 21 by means of screws 5. As shown in FIG. 1, the support and mounting body parts 21, 22, include elements for the form- and force-locking circumferential engagement with the head rest columns. In the embodiment shown the support body part 21 formed integrally with the support sleeve 1 has a V-shaped engagement wall 23 for receiving the head rest column and the other mounting body part 22 has a counter pressure element 24 of a cross-rib configuration with two ribs extending in the plane of the drawing which have a circle segment shaped recess at the side adjacent the head rest column and two ribs which extend normal to the plane of the drawing and one of which is shown in cross-section. Upon screwing the support and mounting body parts 21, 22 together by means of the screws 4, the mounting structure 2 and consequently the support sleeve are firmly clamped to the head rest column by the engagement elements 23, 24.

The end sleeve 3, which is mounted onto the leg ends 31 of the coat hanger, serves as a mounting pin and consequently as a plug element cooperating with the support sleeve 1. The end sleeve 3 has a slightly conical shape which provides for a firm and even self-locking seating in the support sleeve 1.

As shown in FIG. 2, the end sleeve 3 is provided with a locking element 4, which is rotatably supported on the end of the end sleeve 3 and which can be locked to the support sleeve 1 for example by a bayonet lock 11 or similar connecting structure such as a multiple thread. The locking ring 4 disposed on the leg end of the coat hanger adjacent the end sleeve 3 is, as shown in FIG. 1, provided with a locking element 41 for engaging the support sleeve 1 which has a complementary locking structure. The arrangement that is the dimensioning of the support sleeve 1, the dimensioning of the end sleeve 3 and the shape and dimensioning of the locking ring 4 are so selected that, when the end sleeve 3 is inserted into the support sleeve 1 and the locking ring 4 engages the support sleeve 1 by means of the locking structure 11 upon rotation of the locking ring 4, the end sleeve 3 and together therewith, the coat hanger are firmly connected to the mounting structure 2. 

1. A support device for a coat hanger for use in a motor vehicle having seats with headrests supported by head rest support columns, said support device comprising a support sleeve (1), a two-part mounting structure (2) including divided, along a plane extending transverse to the axis of the mounting sleeve (1), into a support part (21) connected to the support sleeve (1), and a mounting part (22) for receiving between the two parts (21, 22) a headrest support column, and parallel screws (5) extending through the support part (21) and the mounting part (22) for firmly engaging the mounting structure (2) with the head rest column therebetween, and an end sleeve (3) mounted onto rod ends (31) of the coat hanger for reception in the mounting sleeve (1).
 2. A support device according to claim 1, wherein a locking element (4) is disposed on the end sleeve (3) for connection to the mounting sleeve (1) when the end sleeve (3) is disposed in the mounting sleeve (1).
 3. A support device according to claim 1, wherein the mounting structure support part (21) includes a V-shaped groove and the mounting part (22) includes a counter element (24) with a concavely formed engagement surface for receiving a head rest support column between the support and the mounting parts (21, 22).
 4. A support device according to claim 1, wherein the support sleeve (1) is formed integrally with the support part (21) of the mounting structure (2).
 5. A support device according to claim 2, wherein the locking element (4) and the support sleeve (1) include complementary locking structures (41, 11).
 6. A support device according to claim 5, wherein the complementary locking structures comprise one of a bayonet and a thread connection.
 7. A support device according to claim 6, wherein the locking element (4) is rotatably supported on the rod end adjacent the end sleeve (6) and has a collar (42) engaging a shoulder (32) of the end sleeve (3) when the end sleeve is supported in the support sleeve (1) for firmly connecting the end sleeve (3) and, together therewith, the coat hanger to the support device. 